CALGARY, Alberta (8/18/13) – The Arkansas State men’s basketball team dropped an 86-78 decision to the University of Alberta on Saturday in a preseason exhibition contest, wrapping up the Red Wolves’ play in the Battle of the Border tournament.

A-State completed its foreign tour to Canda with a 2-1 exhibition record, defeating the University of Calgary 96-76 on Friday and Alberta 88-84 on Thursday.

The Red Wolves had four players score in double figures for the third consecutive game and posted a higher shooting percentage than the Golden Bears, but were outrebouned 35-26 and outscored at the free throw line 32-10.

A-State led 19-18 after the first period, but was outscored 22-16 in the second period and 23-20 in the third to give the Golden Bears an eight-point cushion, and deciding margin, heading into the final 10 minutes. The Red Wolves got as close as four points with 27 second left in the game, but Alberta was able to hit 4-of-6 free throws down the strech to hang on.

Arkansas State as led by Kirk Van Slyke with 13 points, while Cameron Golden and Rakeem Dickerson both scored 12 and Sean Gardner added 11. Kelvin Downs hauled in a team-high six rebounds, while Gardner posted team bests of four steals and three assists.